Burns calls for cooperation with city

Wednesday

Jul 16, 2014 at 10:00 AMJul 16, 2014 at 10:06 AM

By Andy BarrandTwitter: @abarrandHDN

LITCHFIELD — Mike Burns of Burns Excavating Gravel and Concrete in Litchfield asked the Litchfield City Council Tuesday night for cooperation between the city and his company.The company, located just outside the city limits on M-99, has been in business for 37 years.“I feel like we don’t get a chance to bid on city projects,” Burns said. “I want to overcome this and be able to work with the city.“I don’t see us promoting our local business, we are here for this community and working for this community,” he added.Burns pointed towards an upcoming project in which the city will refurbish the tennis courts next to the city pool.City manager Doug Terry addressed Burns’ concerns during his report, stating that no bids had been taken for the project at this point. The city had only recently been awarded the grant money for the project by the Hillsdale County Community Foundation.Terry said he doesn’t exclude anyone from bidding on any projects within the city.“We have been pleased with the materials Burns has provided us in the past,” Terry said. “He has done an excellent job of supplying materials.Later, treasurer Jill Pelham updated the board on four new computers that were purchased along with software upgrades for $3,532 from I.T. Right of Bath. The computers and software were budgeted into the 2014-15 budget.Terry also updated the council on the status of the bridge repair project on M-49 in Litchfield.He said the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) had finished the deck work and he is hoping it will reopen yet this week.The council also passed a resolution in support of the August Primary Ballot Proposal 1 creating a local community stabilization authority to replace local revenue lost related to phase-out of personal property tax.The council also passed a resolution amending the Development-Tax Increment Financing Plan for the city. The amended plan runs through Dec. 31, 2050. The city police department also recently hired two part time officers Sgt. James Sherman and Kurnin Pace.